30 



THE BRONZED GRACKLE. 



The bronzed grackles now breed in pines and other evergreens, often in 

 the yards of houses, but they have not quite learned to trust the boys ( possi- 

 bly with good reason ) for they still place their nests high, on the very topmost 

 branches, in some cases in trees that are fifty feet high. Here they build 

 their large, rather clumsily constructed nests, which will contain from four to 

 six pale, bluish-green eggs , which are singularly marked with hieroglyphic-like 

 figures in black and brown. 



Fig. 18. 



Bronzed Grrackle, Massachusetts. 



Success to the bronzed grackle ! He has, like many another, out-lived 

 persecution, whether just or unjust. Long may he live to dispute the 



grass of our lawns with the English sparrow. 



The question I want to ask the children about the bronzed grackle is ; 

 in what form does he hold his tail as he flies ? 





